Kadeem Allen turns strong Portsmouth showing into NBA Combine invite

Kadeem Allen’s strong performance in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament earlier this month has paid off, earning the departing Arizona senior an invite to the NBA Combine next month in Chicago.

UA freshman Rawle Alkins has also been invited, while it’s unknown if UA freshman Kobi Simmons and sophomore Chance Comanche were.

Only 70 players typically participate in front of key NBA scouts at the combine, and some top international players do not play, so those without invitations face long odds to become one of the 60 NBA Draft picks.

Alkins and Comanche have declared for the draft without signing with an agent, meaning they have until May 24 to return to Arizona if they want. Simmons signed with agent Aaron Turner and thus has left the UA irrevocably.

Because Simmons signed with an agent and is rated among Draft Express’ Top 60 prospects, he has been expected to be invited to the combine.

UA freshman Lauri Markkanen, meanwhile, is certain to be invited but it’s unclear whether he will participate in any form. The Finnish forward is a projected lottery pick with little to gain from playing in the combine.

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While Allen wasn’t available for comment Friday, Allen’s mother, Bernadette, said her son called to tell her that he had been invited. The NBA has not yet released its complete list of participants for the May 9-14 combine.

Allen was UA’s veteran leader and top defender last season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. But he further opened some eyes in the seniors-only Portsmouth tournament, averaging 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 48.1 percent and playing strong defense.

“I thought he really helped himself,” said Jonathan Givony, president of the Draft Express scouting site. “I thought he played great.”

The NBA has guaranteed that a minimum of five players from Portsmouth will be awarded spots in the NBA Combine.

Allen is not projected to be drafted but is ranked the No. 73 overall NBA prospect by Draft Express. The website lists Simmons at No. 55 in its 2017 Mock Draft and Alkins at No. 47 in the 2018 draft, while Comanche is not listed in either.